Elton John has described Little Richard’s 1956 hit ‘Tutti Frutti’ as the record that transformed his life and helped change popular music. Hearing it as a child showed him the excitement and freedom of early rock ’n’ roll, inspiring his ambition to become a performer and influencing his musical direction.

Released when John was still known as Reginald Dwight, ‘Tutti Frutti’ combined Richard’s energetic piano, distinctive vocal style and suggestive lyrics into a hugely influential rock ’n’ roll record. Little Richard became one of John’s musical heroes, and John later said the song altered “the face of music” by helping establish the sound and attitude of rock ’n’ roll.